'On the brink of artistic discovery, Michel’s plans for the future are interrupted by a diagnosis of schizophrenia – he must rely on his sister – yet Karen has dreams of her own, how long can she push them aside to care for him?
Drawn from the writer’s lived experience of schizophrenia, this powerful play explores the relationship between siblings who grapple with managing this condition, which interrupts their focus on transforming the world through art.
'Michel is writing his first novel, Hipflask, his older sister Karen is in Europe turning the world into paintings. Michel’s letters take a strange turn. He believes Joan Miro and Franz Kafka are his companions and he can speak with them. His sister Karen rushes home. Diagnosed with schizophrenia, Michel is unable to accept it. Karen becomes her brother’s career, which tests but cannot destroy their strong bond.'
Source: La Mama Theatre.
Produced by La Mama Theatre at La Mama Courthouse, 25 - 30 May 2021.
Dramaturg: Peter Matheson.
Mad Comrade: Sandy Jeffs.
Director: Cathy Hunt.
Directing Attachment (Emerging Director Award, Union House): Vaishnavi Ravikrishna.
Set & costume designer: Kris Bird.
Sound designer & composer: Jess Keeffe.
Lighting designer: Shane Grant.
Production & Stage manager: Hayley Fox.
Cast: Adam Cass (Michel) and Jane Barry (Karen).
Michel’s artworks: Michel Paul Tuomy.
Karen’s artworks: Elyss McCleary.
Production cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic: cancellations only affected performances on 28-30 May (four shows, including matinee on Saturday 29 May).
'Schizophrenia is a worthy concept to explore, but this production fails to engage dramatically.'
'Schizophrenia is a worthy concept to explore, but this production fails to engage dramatically.'